Nashville is abuzz with NHL fever! Hockey’s All-Star Game has traveled to the Music City, with the festivities lasting from January 28-31. While the actual game will take place on Sunday at 4PM CST, the Skills Competition is set for Saturday at 6PM CST, and Friday will serve as a ‘media day’ of sorts with various parties available from 9:30 AM-12:30 PM CST.
The hometown Predators now have four participants in Sunday’s game: Shea Weber, Pekka Rinne, Roman Josi, and James Neal. 2016 marks the first year that the NHL is going with the three-on-three mini-tournament format. Each division will have its’ own team – in the first period of the game, the Central Division All-Stars will take on the Pacific Division All-Stars. The second period will feature the Metropolitan Division All-Stars taking on the Atlantic Division All-Stars. The winners of these two games will meet in the game’s third period to decide a winner. The winning team will receive a prize of $1 million to split between the 11 team members.
Thankfully, I was able to sit down and talk with SoBros Chief Correspondent of Hockey Affairs Expert, Ryan Hogan, about the game coming to Nashville – let’s hit the high points:
1. First off – what do you think of the new 3-on-3 mini-tournament format?
Hogan: First of all, a three-on-three mini-tournament is nothing more than a flagrant gimmick. However, I have no issue or problem with such a format. For years now, the NHL All-Star game has been considered to be a despicable joke. The NHL found itself in the position where they needed to bring relevancy back to the game. Will the three on three tournament result in the intended conclusion? Or, will it imbue the NHL All-Star game with relevancy? Honestly, it’s doubtful. I’m excited to see the executives doing something different and this is the perfect time to try it out. One other thing, players in the All-Star game are notorious for playing at half speed, and the three-on-three might perpetuate that. That’s a lot of open ice to skate for a solid 20 minutes with somewhat limited line changes. But, the three-on-three perfectly fits the mold of an all-star game, where there’s no hitting, virtually no defense, and a lot of finesse play.
Keeley: Completely agree here – Barry Trotz appeared on Nashville’s 104.5 The Zone this morning, and his answer to a similar question was pretty interesting, and I’d say spot on. Trotz said, “We’re in the entertainment business here.” He’s right – this is still essentially an exhibition game! In that scenario, you have to make it as entertaining as you possibly can. I like the idea.
2. Bottom line: John Scott – should he be in or out?
Hogan: Absolutely. Everyone should read John Scott’s response to how the NHL treated him during this experience in the recently released Players Tribune article. But, to address the question, the NHL left it up to a fan vote and the fans should have their vote honored. Also, I think John Scott will bring a level of character and charisma and personality that certain highly skilled NHL players would not exhibit. I’m not naïve. I know what the intent of the all-star game is. But, John Scott is a recognizable NHL figure. One could argue that he is a star in his own right, while not being overly skilled. The NHL needs to rethink what they consider an NHL star to be. He could potentially really connect with fans in a way that someone like Devan Dubnyk is unable to do. The last thing the NHL needs to do with regards to the All-Star game is marginalize its fans. So I’m glad they chose to honor John Scott’s inclusion into the event.
Keeley: Ryan’s correct – Scott is a star in his own right. It’s simple: if you don’t want guys like Scott in the All-Star game, don’t put a system in place that allows for guys like Scott to get in! Also, if that’s the case, you might as well just call it the ‘Glorified Skills Competition Exhibition Game.’
3. Do you expect the city has prepared enough alcohol to avoid a shortage at the hands of these NHL players? If any of them happen to find this article, where would you advise them to party in Nashville to avoid the Broadway nonsense?
Hogan: I think the city is prepared. If I’m not mistaken, Yazoo came up with its own seasonal brew just for the all star game. While I’m not the biggest fan of East Nashville, East Nashville is an obvious choice. Germantown is another alternative, and it would be just a quick Uber ride away from downtown. I find myself spending a lot of time in Hillsboro Village, so that’s another good option. And in my neighborhood, the Nations, everyone should visit the Stone Fox before it closes on the 31st.
Keeley: I just want to throw Midtown into the mix here, and yes, Yazoo DID come up with its own seasonal brew for the game.
4. Has the NHL successfully accomplished making their all-star game the most fun of the major American sports?
Hogan: I’ll have to be honest. I don’t follow many other sports, and I especially don’t keep up with their All-Star games. But, I would resoundingly say that they have not been successful at accomplishing such a feat. As I mentioned earlier, the NHL All-Star game is largely seen as a joke, and they could potentially be setting themselves up to be perceived as even more of a joke depending on how the new format works. In the past, NHL has had problems with ensuring that it’s most popular stars actually show up for the weekend. Such a problem is persisting this year as well. When the players don’t take it seriously, that doesn’t reflect well for your product. But hey, I get that the players want a vacation. I’d like one myself (one of the issues of working full time while being in grad school full time).
Keeley: If we’re using the word ‘fun,’ I’d say they’re on the right track. Considering the league that wins MLB’s All-Star Game gets to host the World Series, I’d say they’ve probably perfected the All-Star game in terms of making it an important contest. While the NFL’s Pro Bowl is an absolute abomination, the NBA still owns the ‘fun’ title with all of their celebrity involvement, dunk contest, newcomers game, and the fact that it’s a finesse game to begin with.
5. We’re in Nashville – we can see and hear the city buzzing with excitement over hosting this event. By the end of the weekend, do you think the NHL will share that excitement and, more importantly, satisfaction?
Hogan: I think so. I’m not exactly thrilled with all the decisions that have been made regarding the event, but Nashville is seen by many players and media personnel as a great place to party. That’s what the all star game should essentially be – for the fans, the players, the executives, and so on. Everyone always wants to go to Nashville on their road trips. Now, they get a chance to enjoy the city over a long weekend with virtually no pressure.
Keeley: Yup.
6. I understand having the brand of the host city being a major theme in promoting the All-Star festivities, but I’m getting so tired of country music playing in every Nashville vignette. The city is so much more than country music – am I right?
Hogan: I’ve always thought so. But, with such emphasis being placed on country music all the time, maybe I need to re-question that. No, I jest. I’ve never been a country fan. What’s surprising is that growing up in rural Missouri, I was actually subjected to much more country music than I have been while living in Nashville. I’ve expressed this many times before, but Nashville needs to embrace being Music City, not country music city. Any night of the week, you can find any variety of show to go to (even hip hop, but maybe not any night of the week for that specifically). I’m disappointed that the local celebrities involved with the event are limited to country music “stars.” Why not get Jack White as one of those celebrity coaches (although, he might see himself as above that)? But even then, Nashville has a lot more culture to be proud of even beyond the music. And it disappoints me that time and time again, the Nashville community has an opportunity to redefine itself in a new light, but it continually chooses to perpetuate old stereotypes.
7. Besides the game itself, what are you looking forward to the most about having this event in town?
Hogan: Seeing Uncle Gary out amongst the common folk:
That’s our walk-off, folks – ENJOY THE WEEKEND!
Follow Ryan Hogan on Twitter: @lonesome_hobo
Stoney Keeley is the editor of the SoBros Network, Tennessee Titans Featured Analyst for Pro Football Spot, and covers the WWE for WrestlingNews.co. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley, @PFSpot, @WrestlingNewsCo
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